a few things.

dont let anyone tell you your 2.2 cant be pretty fast.. even n/a, it justtakes a tone more $ that way


plan ahead what you really want your car to be. not what you can afford right now.. that way you dont end up buying things you dont need

if you think your going turbo dont get a full exhaust or intake, you will be replacing the manifold/ header and more then likely down pipe anyways so it would be a waist of cash same with the intake, or cams intil you know for sure as a n/a, turbo & supercharged cars would all use diffrent cam grinds to max performance

theres things you can do such as motor/tranny mounts, i know ttr is supposed to have some nice ones, port and polish the heads. build up the valvetrain for higher rpm's... you could have your axles cyro-treated and even your trannys gears, but i would imagine this would be quiet expensive.

 

rods and pistons as well for weakness,most of the parts on the L61 are from a LSJ motor.

 

ZeeBee, all tha followin info was taken from GM's New Release Build Book. (This opens in a 2.5MB PDF Style)


Here are a few qoutes for quick ref:

"When building an ECOTEC engine to the 400 hp power
level, no modifications to the cylinder head, block, main
girdle or crankshaft are required."

"We recommend that the connecting rods be upgraded
because stock 2.2L L61 rods are not designed for power
levels over 250 hp."

"The stock 2.2L L61 ECOTEC pistons have been tested to
power levels approaching 300 hp. However these pistons
should be replaced with a stock forged-type piston for
applications over the 250 hp level."

"The production intake manifold has been tested to the
350 hp level."

"With a stock 2.2L L61, the maximum Nitrous Jet Kit you
can use is 75 hp. With upgraded rods and pistons, the
maximum nitrous jet you can use is 150 hp."

"GM Performance Parts has developed a bolt-on
supercharger kit (part number 1780003) for the 2.2L
ECOTEC engine."

"The ECOTEC engine is the perfect starting point for
performance enthusiasts. Power levels of up to 400
horsepower can be achieved with the installation of
connecting rods and pistons, a new head gasket and head
bolts, adjustable cam gears and a nitrous oxide system or
a turbo kit. No modifications to the cylinder head, block,
main girdle or crankshaft are required. You can purchase
upgraded components such as:
˛ Air Intake Systems
˛ Exhaust Systems
˛ Exhaust Headers
˛ Adjustable Cam Gears
˛ Nitrous Oxide Systems
˛ Supercharger Kits
˛ Turbocharger Kits
˛ ECM Reflashes"



I apologize for such a long post, but here are tha facts come'n from GM themselves. This should give u an idea on what u would need to build on when increase'n ur HP ratings. This is what I'm go'n by with my build. I have most of my stuff listed in my VBGarage, I hope this helps with where ur go'n. Good Luck!

 

This intel is for the L61. Have they done testing like that with the LAP? ( until proven otherwise i would use those numbers)

 

same internal parts i believe

 

From readin that article u posted, it shows the LE5 is rated to handle the same horsepower as the L61 but we have always been told the LE5 can handle more power then the L61. That the LE5 had some forged internals, but according to that they are identical and will fail at the same power output

 

interesting...

 

the LE5 has similar internals to the 2.0 as far as quality, the LAP shares the rods, crank, and pistons with the L61s (except 07 ions) and that's it. My 07 ion has most of the upgrades made to the LAP, minus the VVT and some minor things, and it is a BEAST. as far as the OP, if they are still tuned in, as far as suspension on these cars, I find a progress rear sway bar necessary, with that the car turns into a comfy performer around corners.

 

thanks for the info, and they sway bar is on my list i have sportline that made a huge cornering difference and a mrz strutbar.

 

interesting............im getting ready to do an engine build for my car, I was thinking I need everything from a head build to the pistons, but I can see from this that our internals are pretty strong in the 2.2 and rods and pistons are all i need to achieve 300whp


Would an upgraded crankshaft be nessesary or should I leave that alone?

I don't want to forge build the car strictly for power but to make sure the engine lasts me a long time

 

crankshaft is rated for 500bhp, but i'd be willing to bet it can take 500+whp

 

most definitely the crank and camshafts will last you, unless you want a different profile, keep them.

 

Hey, Post #60 - El Mariachi and #61 - Hunterkiller89:

In your sigs, El has 256whp TC and Hunter has 265bhp SC. Pretty close together; how much did each build cost each of you? Not sure on TC or SC as of yet.

 

im pretty positive i spent less than he did, but 265bhp is only in the 220whp, so he''s definitely ahead of me in power

 

how much woul dforged pistons and rods run??

what kind of gain would i be looking at on my 2.2 manual??

i have like 1200 i want to invest in the car and i dont mind spending more...

i got my car for free and is payed off...

i woul dlove to sc my car...but im like all hesistant and **** due to the masssssssive parts list i need...lik ehunterkiller...didnt u have a **** load of parts to find before you could start your build...like little hoses and nuts and bolts is what im referring to...not the standard blower and h/e lol

 

I stand by my previous statement...

 

Hunter deffinitly spent less, heres my spendings so far in project LS:

Garrett Turbo Kit - $3,000
Spec Clutch - $400
Trifecta Tune - $300
Installation - $1,300
and DC Sport Exhaust - $500

Trifect over tuned me so I try not to boost around so much until i get the build going, which is soon. Then Ima tune it again, my goal is 300whp for right now

 

if it makes you feel better, im probably near $7k into the car as a whole....lol
oo, and i have power windows as of 2 days ago its soooo much better

 

lets see where im at lol:

Garrett Turbo Kit - $3,000
Spec Clutch - $400
Trifecta Tune - $300
Installation - $1,300
DC Sport Exhaust - $500
Eibach springs - $500 i think
3M tint - $210
Sound system (stolen ) with installation - $2000
Leather seats from Julio lol : $350 come this wednsday
SS wing - $300
17in rims - $750

almost a grand total of ----------> "ching" $9610

We would be at the same amount if it wasn't for the price i paid for the turbo kit lol

 

dayum!. lol so im not the only one dumping ridiculous amounts of money into an LS.
$1500 rims and tires
$400 sway bars
$250 springs
$650 struts
$50 spacers
$250 seats
$150 for door panels
$100 for all other interior panels
$200 for speakers and head unit
$1200 for supercharger
$600-700 in gauges (wow..thats frightening)
$300 for piggyback
$300 for tune
$100 for tint
$500 for header/DP
$450 for catback
$200 for headlights
$250 for HIDs
$100 for strut bar
$60 for tranny mounts
$30 for shift+
$50 for tranny cooler
$300 for power windows/locks
TOTAL: $8,040
ouch....i wish i spent that money on internals....lol
throw in some more for installation costs, but i did most of those installs myself. only the springs/struts, piggyback, and tranny cooler were done by a shop

 

yep and im still spending lol, but that what makes the LS fun

 

So, a little off topic, but what is the updated list of things that the 2.2 is weak on???

 

the biggest weakness is the rod and pistons, then the valves, other than that Ive been doing a lot of research and have come to find that the 2.2 internals are pretty strong in general

 

good for 250whp, if you want more, you need rods and pistons. if you want more than 450whp, then you need to start getting headwork. There really are no weaknesses compared to a LSJ other than the pistons/rods

 

I have a 2.4. I was just trying to get the thread back on track instead of a receipt list for FI builds...